One of Sabalenka or Pegula will be the last woman standing at the WTA 1000 Miami Masters presented by Itau. Sabalenka, The world's number one has never won the title in South Florida. Neither has Pegula. Sabalenka is the clear-cut favorite to win the final. Pegula will do everything to create an upset.
The 31-year-old Jessica Pegula started out her campaign in Florida by beating Pera in two sets. She went on to defeat Kalinskaya in three sets in the round of 32. In the round of 16, Pegula squared off with Kostyuk and won in straight sets. Pegula got the better of Raducanu in the QF (2-1). Jessica faced the big sensation of the tournament in the semis—Eala from the Philippines and a graduate from the Rafa Nadal Academy. Pegula, ranked number four in the world, won the semi in three sets. Her serve has been excellent throughout the event and must work well too versus Sabalenka for Jessica to be able to win it all.
The World number one began her Miami adventure by getting the better of Tomova in two sets. Then she took care of Ruse in the round of 32. Aryna went on to beat Collins in the round of 16. Qinwen Zheng was her opponent in the QF, and Aryna defeated her once again, like she always does pretty much. Paolini was the victim in the semis; Sabalenka won pretty easily. Aryna has not lost a set yet in Miami. The match versus Zheng is the only one that took more than 90 minutes to finish.
Aryna and Jessica have faced each other on eight occasions on the WTA tour. The 26-year-old Sabalenka has won six out of those matches. They have played in two finals before. Both of them took place in 2024. Aryna won the US Open final and the title match at the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Masters. Sabalenka is up 4-2 on the surface of hard court. Both players have won one title each this season.
Sabalenka from Belarus has won 21 and lost four matches in the 2025 season. Impressive, to say the least. She just lost the final at Indian Wells to Mirra Andreeva. Aryna started the year with a title in Brisbane. Sabalenka lost the final at the Australian Open to Madison Keys. Sabalenka had an early exit in Doha (round of 32). She went out in the round of 16 in Dubai.
Jessica has a record of 19 wins and five lost matches so far in the 2025 season on the WTA tour. Pegula played at the WTA 500 Adelaide International to kick off the season. She got to the final but lost it to Keys. Pegula went out in the round of 32 to Danilovic at the Australian Open. Jessica reached the QF in Qatar and the round of 16 in Dubai. Then Pegula won her only title of the season in Austin at the WTA 250 ATX Open. Jessica lost to Svitolina at Indian Wells in the round of 32.
The serving will be a crucial factor for Pegula. After the win against Eala in the semifinal, Jessica said: "It feels like I am serving a bit better. Hopefully, I can serve well Saturday. You have to serve well against Aryna. She is a great returner." Sabalenka said: "You must bring mental toughness to the court when you play vs Pegula."
